Articles

Below are various articles that deal with the subjects of Education and Child Development. There are also a few articles about families that talk about ways to help the family get through difficult times.

Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education (E.C.E) programs vary but typically are educational programs that serve children before they are able to enter kindergarten. The ages can include infants to five years old. At each age group, the educators use developmentally appropriate practices to help guide young children to develop greater cognitive and social-emotional development. Even though programs may vary high-quality programs have a few things in common: a balanced schedule, quality curriculum, a clear statement of goals, a comprehensive philosophy that addresses all aspects of child development, an appropriate environment to stimulate learning, and high parental involvement. It is shown that young children in E.C.E programs learn best when not pushed, have an opportunity to interact with peers, and parents and educators treat them kindly. These E.C.E. programs also differ in how they are funded. Some are publicly funded while others are privately funded. How they are funded depends on where they are located and the services that they provide.

In a child’s development, the first five years of life are vital to their development. It is within these years that a child needs educational stimulation to build a foundation for entry into a more formal school environment. Early childhood educators guide young learners in learning the skills needed to become successful learners. The educators do this in a few ways: getting young children familiar with printed material, helping the young children develop their language skills, helping children recognize numbers and letters, and teaching them to count and letter sounds.

Why is it important?

Early childhood education is important for children because it has been shown to help children in kindergarten and 1st grade. The experience in an early childhood program helps children develop greater social skills and longer attention spans. This means they are better able to interact with peers and have greater focus in the classroom. These are big advantages and can help throughout their educational journey as well as later in life well after schools end.

Preschool  Teacher .org. (2018). Preschoolteacher.org. What is Early Childhood Education? Retrieved from https://www.preschoolteacher.org/what-is-early-childhood-education/#main 

Loveless, Becton. (2018). Educationcorner.com. What Is So Important About Early Childhood Education? Retrieved from https://www.educationcorner.com/importance-of-early-childhood-education.html

ESOL Education

To first understand ESOL education it is important to know what the acronym ESOL is. The acronym ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages. It is also important to know that the programs offered are sometimes called by different acronyms. The acronyms can be ESL, EFL, and the like. While the acronyms might be different the meaning is essentially the same. They are used to provide a distinction between the environments of the different types of programs. Each type of program is intended to help non-native English speakers improve their speaking, reading, and writing skills.

ESOL programs can be in or at public schools, learning academies, colleges, and public libraries. Programs vary by the needs of the local population. In public schools, the programs provide help to children as they learn the English language. It gives them help in classes such as math and science where the language barrier can make the subject matter difficult to understand. Learning academies cater to immigrant students or professionals with special visas allowing them to study in the U.S. College programs prepare non-native English speakers to study at the collegiate level. Many public libraries offer ESOL courses for local non-native English-speaking residents who wish to improve their English skills.

L'Fayette, Lester. (2018). Classroom.synonym.com. What Is an ESOL Program? Retrieved from https://classroom.synonym.com/esol-program-6319997.html 

Young, Sarah. (Oct. 20, 2015). Readinghorizons.com. What's the Difference Between ESL, EFL, ESOL, ELL, and ESP? Retrieved from https://www.readinghorizons.com/blog-roll/what-s-the-difference-between-esl-efl-esol-ell-and-esp 

Students

Every student is a unique individual that has their own educational journey to go on. Even within a class each student learns in different ways and has various levels of knowledge. Some will be able to pick up new concepts easily while others may struggle. We can make sure all students learn the desired concepts through personalized learning opportunities. It’s the unique students and various learning opportunities that make the classroom such a wonderful place. When both come together great things happen.

Multitasking 

Most parents and educators have a degree in multitasking as it seems to be the only way to get everything done. With so many duties to deal with on a daily basis, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all that has to be done. Multitasking is a way to help this but there are some downsides to keep in mind.

     Multitasking does help get things done, but oftentimes the quality isn't what it could be. Misunderstanding can occur as you might clearly read or hear what you are trying to work on. To clearly understand what's going on you need your full attention on it. Now for some things, this might be okay but for the really important stuff, you need to keep multitasking to a minimum.

     Now, be sure to understand no one's saying you should stop it as that would be hypocritical. It's just important to keep a balance, especially when it comes to spending time with kids.

Family Involvement In A Child's Education

It is important that a parent or guardians get involved in their child's education by talking to their teachers and being involved in school events. While it might be hard to find the time to do this it is important and helpful for everyone. It allows the parent or guardian to see how the child is doing in school and know the events that are happening in that part of the child’s life. It also has a profound emotional and behavioral impact on the child. When this happens a child sees that they are cared about. They, in turn, begin to work harder in school and are happier about going to school each morning. Also, the child is better able to get the help they need in school because the parent or guardian understands the needs of the child better. These things help a child gain self-confidence and have a brighter outlook on learning in general. This brighter outlook leads to help in all other aspects of the child’s life. The family is also helped and can become stronger by working together and showing their love for one another.

Bullying & Cyber-bullying

Bullying and Cyber-bullying is a rapidly growing epidemic that has to stop.

Today children as young as five are getting bullied by other children while at school. As adults, we want to help children feel better so we tell them white lies. Examples of such lies are: They are just playing with you it’s not meant to be mean, They pick on you because they want to be your friend, It's okay they just don’t understand you, or (my personal favorite) the old saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me”. These lies, which yes make them feel better at the moment, in the end, does more harm than good. Yes, I know what you are saying, “Bullying has been going on for centuries, and it has become a part of life for children as well as adults.”

Please look at the part that reads “as well as adults.” Think back at past experiences as an adult and remember if you have come across adults that can be called bullies. Are there any? I have a feeling that nine out of ten of you answered yes to this question. How do they make you feel? And to think you are an adult who has probably dealt with some form of bullying before. Now think back to how a bully made you feel like a child. I am guessing it didn’t make you feel great about yourself, I know it didn’t me.

Cyber-bullying has created a completely new element of bullying. Now, days children can be at home and not get away from getting picked on, there is no safe zone anymore. They can now go on the computer or check their phone to see that other children, many of which they might not even know, say they don’t like them and make up horrible, terrible lies about them. Having this happen on a daily basis can have serious damage to a child’s self-esteem that may not never go away. Bullying and Cyber-bullying is a cycle that seems to never end.

What are ways we can help children deal with bullies and stop bullying?

• Let children know just how special they are.

• Talk about your own experience with bullying.

• DO NOT ignore a child when they tell you about being bullied.

• Look at what is being posted on their social media sites.

• If they don’t want to talk to you about it find someone who they will talk to about it.

Value Of Teamwork (TCA website) 

We, as adults, understand the value of teamwork. For students, however, that concept may be difficult to fully realize. They know the idea of working together but not the help it can bring about for them. We must help them understand that teamwork allows ideas to flow and become refined. We can show them how working together and sharing ideas can help them find solutions to their problems.